Jacob Helberg, undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs, told Reuters that Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will soon join a U.S.-led initiative to secure AI and semiconductor supply chains.
This program, named Pax Silica, seeks to safeguard the full technology supply chain, including critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, computing and data infrastructure. It has been considered “a key pillar” of the Trump administration’s economic statecraft strategy to reduce dependence on rival nations and strengthen cooperation among allied partners.
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The initial group includes South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Australia. Qatar and UAE are expected to sign the Pax Silica declaration on Jan. 12, followed by the UAE on Jan. 15.
The addition of these two countries is significant because of the tensions in the region, and reflects efforts by the U.S. to bring Israel and Gulf states into the same technology-focused economic framework.
Unlike traditional alliances, Helberg said, Pax Silica is a “coalition of capabilities,” with membership driven by the industrial strengths and companies of each country. Helberg also mentioned that he hopes the initiative can help accelerate the Middle East’s economic transition away from energy dependence, toward a more diversified, technology-driven economy.
“For the UAE and Qatar, this marks a shift from a hydrocarbon-centric security architecture to one focused on silicon statecraft,” he said.
This move comes against the backdrop of The Future Minerals Forum, a government‑led global minerals and supply chain conference hosted by Saudi Arabia that will bring together senior officials, industry leaders and investors in Riyadh from January 13‑15.
Helberg said the Pax Silica group will focus this year on expanding membership, building strategic projects to secure supply chains and coordinating policies to protect critical infrastructure and technology.
Helberg said he hoped that the group–which met in Washington last month–will meet a few times. He said discussions are under way on projects that could modernize trade and logistics routes, including the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, using advanced U.S. technology to boost regional integration and expand America’s economic footprint.
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India had also reportedly been invited to the initiative by Sergio, the U.S. ambassador to India, indicating a softening of tensions between the two countries.
U.S. and Israeli officials plan to launch a Pax Silica-linked Strategic Framework, including the “Fort Foundry One” industrial park in Israel to accelerate projects. AI cooperation will also be discussed, with a memorandum of understanding tentatively planned for January 16.